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Our Esthetician Shares Her Daily Winter Skincare Routine

As an esthetician, I have a strict policy of never recommending a product to a client or friend without using it myself. I am a firm believer in “do as I do” not “do as I say.” When I recommend increasing your water intake, you can bet that I am right there with you increasing my own.

My skincare routine changes seasonally, but if you have ever wondered what products an esthetician uses for herself, here’s a peek into my medicine cabinet for the winter months. Keep in mind that I have dry skin, I am 37 years old, I am working on lightening some minor pigmentation caused by sun damage and I am constantly battling those fine lines around my eyes. Let’s go!

My Morning Skincare Routine

Cleanse & Tone. Whatever I applied the night before will determine how I cleanse my skin in the morning. If I need a deep cleanse to remove a sleeping mask, I will reach for Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser. Other times I will only cleanse Son & Park Beauty Water, applied with unbleached cotton squares, to gently clean and exfoliate my skin. Whether I use a foaming cleanser or not, I always use the beauty water with the cotton squares before the next step.

Treat. Vitamin C comes next, and right now I am using one by a beautiful brand called Odacite—C For Colette. They have a wonderful program where you can order 3 samples and just pay for the shipping. In the past I have also loved SkinCeuticals and their vitamin C products.

Eyes. Eye cream is one item I never skip, day or night. I am currently using Arcona’s Eye Dew in the morning.

Protect. Tinted sunscreen during the winter months has to be hydrating since I am on the dry side, so I am a huge fan of Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Tinte. Generally I do not use an additional moisturizer since this sunscreen is very hydrating and leaves my skin looking radiant and dewy.

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

Cleanse. I begin with an oil cleansing by using Aromatica Natural Coconut Cleansing Oil, I am sensitive to fragrances and love how plain this one smells. I apply it to dry skin and it removes all of my makeup. Once I massage the cleanser all over my face and eyes, I will add a little water and keep massaging. To remove, I use these amazing washcloths which I soak with water, squeezing out the excess so they are damp. Next I will cleanse a second time using either my Flash Foam Cleanser from the morning or Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel which is soap-free.

Tone. When it comes to toner I have several in my arsenal that I reach for:

Bioelements Equalizer is one I pick when my skin is feeling a little unbalanced—dry in some areas, congested in others

Treat. Several times I week I use a glycolic serum to treat unevenness in complexion and help exfoliate dead skin. I find my products penetrate much better when I am regularly exfoliating. Several times a week, usually on the off nights of my glycolic serum, I will use a micro-needler. Just recently I began using the GloPRO to test and report back to clients my findings and so far I’m a fan. I will add that I am also constantly trying new serums with retinol, peptides, or other targeted ingredients, and it is during this step that I will use these.

Hydrate. I have quite a few oils that I regularly reach for, and some nights those will be the only form of hydration I use. I have been known to mix and match a few drops of them together as well. Seabuckthorn Oil, Marula Oil, and Odacite Clair de Lune are some of my current favorites.

Reader Interactions

Comments

What about Cyclopentasiloxane (silicone) and Silica Dimethyl Silylate in the Bioelements Sleepwear For Eyes cream? Isn’t silicone bad for our skin-care? Butylene Glycol in SON & PARK Beauty Water? -> its been said that in small amount might not harm us, but we do use a cleanser quite a lot? Also PEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glyceride -> it can cause irritation and system toxicity if used on damaged skin..?? I didn’t see anything wrong with ingredients in ARCONA Eye Dew but is it because is not as nutritional as the night one eye creams which you mentioned? And againPeg -100 Stearate in Embryolisse Creme Riche Hydratante – Rich Hydrating Cream?

Could you explain me why this ingredients are in face cosmetics, if they are causing irritations and are harmful chemicals?